5G N11 and N3 Interface Data Correlation for Session Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Monitoring subscriber sessions on the N11 interface and correlating N3 data in 5G networks is challenging due to bi-directional GTP tunnel management and correlating user data across different components, requiring a comprehensive solution for enriched user data and real-time monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that captures and processes messages on the N11 and N3 interfaces, extracts session IDs and NGAP TEIDs, and correlates GTP-U TEIDs to retrieve session details, providing a novel N11 monitoring solution that enriches subscriber data and filters traffic based on monitoring requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If comprehensive monitoring of N11 and N3 interfaces is implemented to enrich user data, then measurement precision and information completeness improve, but device complexity and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system is segmented into specialized functional modules: N11 message capture module, N3 message capture module, session ID extraction module, NGAP TEID extraction module, GTP-U TEID extraction module, and data correlation module. Each module handles a specific aspect of the monitoring task, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate data structures (session records, correlation tables) that act as mediators between the captured messages and the final enriched user data. These intermediaries organize and temporary store the extracted identifiers and their relationships, simplifying the correlation process and reducing direct processing complexity.
2Measurement precision
If real-time correlation of NGAP TEIDs and GTP-U TEIDs is performed to track user sessions, then user session tracking accuracy improves, but processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary extraction and storage of session IDs, NGAP TEIDs, and GTP-U TEIDs as they appear in messages, building correlation tables in advance. This preliminary action allows the system to have session information ready before full correlation is needed, reducing processing time when real-time tracking is required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates and maintains copies of relevant identifier information in multiple data structures (session records, correlation tables, binding information). These copies allow the system to quickly retrieve and correlate session information without repeatedly processing the original messages, significantly reducing processing time for real-time tracking.
3Loss of information
If multiple session records and correlation tables are maintained to manage bi-directional GTP tunnels, then data completeness improves, but memory usage and system resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The session records and correlation tables are designed to serve multiple functions: storing session identifiers, maintaining TEID bindings, tracking user locations, and supporting filtering operations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated data structures, optimizing memory usage while maintaining complete session information.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements mechanisms to discard and recover session information as needed. When sessions are terminated or no longer needed, their associated records can be discarded to free memory. Conversely, the system can recover and reconstruct session information from available data, ensuring completeness is maintained when memory resources permit.
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, a non-transitory computer readable medium is disclosed. In some embodiments, the medium includes instructions for providing a mobile user monitoring solution that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to capture a first message transmitted over an N11 interface, extract at least one type of session ID and a first Next Generation Application Protocol (NGAP) tunnel endpoint identifier (TEID) from the first message, store the at least one type of session ID and the first NGAP TEID in a first N11 protocol data unit (PDU) session record, capture a second message transmitted over an N3 interface, extract a general packet radio service (GPRS) tunneling protocol (GTP)-user plane (U) TEID from the second message, wherein the GTP-U TEID matches the first NGAP TIED, and retrieve information associated with session details record using the GTP-U TEID.